







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I'm checking again, there are only two forks and a teaspoon! | |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | |
| I'm a web designer. | |
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | |
| Maybe they prefer electric stoves in shared houses for safety reasons. | |
| I'm okay, how are you? | |
| The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | |
| It's individually, the small ones are 30p, big ones 50p. | |
| No she is a very cute, easygoing and friendly girl. | |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | |
| My cat is in the garden. | |
| Sorry Mrs. Jones, there is a misunderstanding... | |
| Do you have their number? | |
| How is there four of us? | |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | |